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NOTE 12:
Fertilization of
Forage & Pasture
Crops
revised September 2008
Production of quality forage requires a balanced pH and
nutrient regime. Soil testing is the best way to determine
lime and fertilizer requirements. Submit soil samples
from established pastures, hay meadows and silage fi elds
every one to three years to meet yield goals and animal
nutritional requirements.
Lime
Lime is recommended to neutralize soil acidity. When
possible, till lime into the soil. On no- till sites or established
fi elds, surface applications are benefi cial; however, do not
apply more than 1.0 ton/ acre at one time.
If recommendations exceed 1.0 ton/ acre, apply the
excess in 1.0- ton/ acre increments every 6– 9 months until
the full rate is applied. Lime rates depend on the current
and target soil pH for the specifi ed crop or soil class. The
target pH for forage crops depends on soil class: 6.0– 6.5
for mineral ( MIN) soils, 5.5 for mineral- organic soils and
5.0 for organic soils.
There are two types of agricultural lime. Calcitic
lime is calcium carbonate ( CaCO 3 ). Dolomitic lime
is a mixture of calcium and magnesium carbonates
[ CaMg( CO 3 ) 2 ] and contains a minimum of 120 lb of Mg
per ton. Dolomitic lime is an economical source of Mg
and reduces the risk of grass tetany in livestock.
Another potential source is lime- stabilized sludge
containing calcitic lime. If used, monitor soil Mg levels.
When Mg is needed, 25– 30 lb per acre are adequate.
For establishment of perennial grasses, NCDA& CS
recommends enough lime to raise the pH to 6.5 on MIN
soils. This initial application, which is tilled into the soil,
fosters a pH that allows for a longer production period
before additional lime is needed. After establishment, a
target pH of 6.0 is appropriate for forage production on
MIN soils.
Phosphorus ( P), Potassium ( K) & Sulfur ( S)
Soil testing accurately predicts phosphate ( P 2 O 5 )
and potash ( K 2 O) needs. The following are general
guidelines for fertilizing forage crops at planting and
White Clover & Bluegrass
Most clover- bluegrass pastures are grown in the mountains
at elevations above 2000 ft. The most prevalent fertility
problem is low P. When P 2 O 5 and K 2 O are recommended,
apply full amounts either in early spring or fall. Although
response to P often exceeds that to lime, most mountain
pastures are quite acid and benefi t from liming.
A balanced clover- grass stand does not need N, and
the N supplied by the clover does not promote excessive
competition by the grass. However, a N application of
50– 60 lb/ acre can be used to shift peak production to
an earlier period: apply in early August for fall growth,
March for early spring growth. When applying N early,
keep grass grazed to 8 inches or less to protect clover.
Cool- Season Perennial Grasses
The N rates for cool- season grasses— such as fescue,
bluegrass, orchardgrass and timothy— range from 100 to
200 lb/ acre to allow adjustment for soil type, geographic
region and level of production desired for hay and grazing.
For tall fescue hay, apply 200 lb/ acre on sandy soils and
160 lb/ acre on fi ne- textured soils. On tall fescue pastures
for grazing, NCDA& CS recommends 150 lb/ acre on
sandy soils and 120 on fi ne- textured soils.
The timing of a N application is important for best
results. Apply half the N in mid- February– March and
half in mid- August– September. Mid- August is best for
western piedmont and mountain pastures. September is
best for eastern piedmont and coastal plain pastures.
Warm- Season Annual Grasses
For millet, crabgrass, Sudan grass and Sudan- sorghum
hybrids, the NCDA& CS recommends applying N at a rate
of approximately 50– 70 lb/ acre/ yr at or before seeding.
Apply the remainder in increments of 40– 60 lb/ acre after
each cutting or grazing period. For more information, refer
to the earlier section on RYE N Rates.
Warm- Season Perennial Grasses
When establishing common and/ or hybrid bermuda or
bahia on sandy soils where K leaches, apply only half
the K 2 O before sprigging or seeding and the remainder at
midseason. When plants start to grow, apply N at 30– 40
lb/ acre over the row and then another 30– 60 lb/ acre when
runners appear ( 6– 8 weeks after planting).
To maintain an established bermuda pasture on sandy
soils, make split applications of K 2 O that coincide with
NCDA& CS Agronomic Division
Colleen M. Hudak- Wise, Ph. D., Director
www. ncagr. gov/ agronomi/
( 919) 733- 2655
Mailing Address
1040 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699- 1040
Physical Address / Location
4300 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh NC 27607- 6465
North Carolina
Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services
Steve Troxler, Commissioner of Agriculture
N treatments ( 3– 4 applications per year, depending on the
extent of grazing or the number of cuttings). Adequate K
is essential to reduce leaf spot, safeguard against winter
kill, and optimize yield and quality. Submit soil samples
in late summer to fi nd out if K will be needed in the fall.
N rates for hybrid bermudagrass hay vary based on soil type:
220 lb/ acre for sandy soils, 175 lb/ acre for fi ne- and medium-textured
soils. Apply 50– 60 lb/ acre in April and the rest in equal
amounts in June and mid- July or after each cutting. For more
information, refer to the section on RYE N Rates.
Grazing: Nitrogen Rate Reduction
When pastures are grazed, nutrients are recycled. In open-grazing
systems, total N rates may be reduced by 25%. Under
controlled grazing, a more uniform distribution of animal
waste occurs and total N rates may be reduced by 50%.

NOTE 12:
Fertilization of
Forage & Pasture
Crops
revised September 2008
Production of quality forage requires a balanced pH and
nutrient regime. Soil testing is the best way to determine
lime and fertilizer requirements. Submit soil samples
from established pastures, hay meadows and silage fi elds
every one to three years to meet yield goals and animal
nutritional requirements.
Lime
Lime is recommended to neutralize soil acidity. When
possible, till lime into the soil. On no- till sites or established
fi elds, surface applications are benefi cial; however, do not
apply more than 1.0 ton/ acre at one time.
If recommendations exceed 1.0 ton/ acre, apply the
excess in 1.0- ton/ acre increments every 6– 9 months until
the full rate is applied. Lime rates depend on the current
and target soil pH for the specifi ed crop or soil class. The
target pH for forage crops depends on soil class: 6.0– 6.5
for mineral ( MIN) soils, 5.5 for mineral- organic soils and
5.0 for organic soils.
There are two types of agricultural lime. Calcitic
lime is calcium carbonate ( CaCO 3 ). Dolomitic lime
is a mixture of calcium and magnesium carbonates
[ CaMg( CO 3 ) 2 ] and contains a minimum of 120 lb of Mg
per ton. Dolomitic lime is an economical source of Mg
and reduces the risk of grass tetany in livestock.
Another potential source is lime- stabilized sludge
containing calcitic lime. If used, monitor soil Mg levels.
When Mg is needed, 25– 30 lb per acre are adequate.
For establishment of perennial grasses, NCDA& CS
recommends enough lime to raise the pH to 6.5 on MIN
soils. This initial application, which is tilled into the soil,
fosters a pH that allows for a longer production period
before additional lime is needed. After establishment, a
target pH of 6.0 is appropriate for forage production on
MIN soils.
Phosphorus ( P), Potassium ( K) & Sulfur ( S)
Soil testing accurately predicts phosphate ( P 2 O 5 )
and potash ( K 2 O) needs. The following are general
guidelines for fertilizing forage crops at planting and
White Clover & Bluegrass
Most clover- bluegrass pastures are grown in the mountains
at elevations above 2000 ft. The most prevalent fertility
problem is low P. When P 2 O 5 and K 2 O are recommended,
apply full amounts either in early spring or fall. Although
response to P often exceeds that to lime, most mountain
pastures are quite acid and benefi t from liming.
A balanced clover- grass stand does not need N, and
the N supplied by the clover does not promote excessive
competition by the grass. However, a N application of
50– 60 lb/ acre can be used to shift peak production to
an earlier period: apply in early August for fall growth,
March for early spring growth. When applying N early,
keep grass grazed to 8 inches or less to protect clover.
Cool- Season Perennial Grasses
The N rates for cool- season grasses— such as fescue,
bluegrass, orchardgrass and timothy— range from 100 to
200 lb/ acre to allow adjustment for soil type, geographic
region and level of production desired for hay and grazing.
For tall fescue hay, apply 200 lb/ acre on sandy soils and
160 lb/ acre on fi ne- textured soils. On tall fescue pastures
for grazing, NCDA& CS recommends 150 lb/ acre on
sandy soils and 120 on fi ne- textured soils.
The timing of a N application is important for best
results. Apply half the N in mid- February– March and
half in mid- August– September. Mid- August is best for
western piedmont and mountain pastures. September is
best for eastern piedmont and coastal plain pastures.
Warm- Season Annual Grasses
For millet, crabgrass, Sudan grass and Sudan- sorghum
hybrids, the NCDA& CS recommends applying N at a rate
of approximately 50– 70 lb/ acre/ yr at or before seeding.
Apply the remainder in increments of 40– 60 lb/ acre after
each cutting or grazing period. For more information, refer
to the earlier section on RYE N Rates.
Warm- Season Perennial Grasses
When establishing common and/ or hybrid bermuda or
bahia on sandy soils where K leaches, apply only half
the K 2 O before sprigging or seeding and the remainder at
midseason. When plants start to grow, apply N at 30– 40
lb/ acre over the row and then another 30– 60 lb/ acre when
runners appear ( 6– 8 weeks after planting).
To maintain an established bermuda pasture on sandy
soils, make split applications of K 2 O that coincide with
NCDA& CS Agronomic Division
Colleen M. Hudak- Wise, Ph. D., Director
www. ncagr. gov/ agronomi/
( 919) 733- 2655
Mailing Address
1040 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699- 1040
Physical Address / Location
4300 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh NC 27607- 6465
North Carolina
Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services
Steve Troxler, Commissioner of Agriculture
N treatments ( 3– 4 applications per year, depending on the
extent of grazing or the number of cuttings). Adequate K
is essential to reduce leaf spot, safeguard against winter
kill, and optimize yield and quality. Submit soil samples
in late summer to fi nd out if K will be needed in the fall.
N rates for hybrid bermudagrass hay vary based on soil type:
220 lb/ acre for sandy soils, 175 lb/ acre for fi ne- and medium-textured
soils. Apply 50– 60 lb/ acre in April and the rest in equal
amounts in June and mid- July or after each cutting. For more
information, refer to the section on RYE N Rates.
Grazing: Nitrogen Rate Reduction
When pastures are grazed, nutrients are recycled. In open-grazing
systems, total N rates may be reduced by 25%. Under
controlled grazing, a more uniform distribution of animal
waste occurs and total N rates may be reduced by 50%.